Ousmane Dabo was assaulted by Joey Barton during a practice match at Manchester City's training ground in May 2007. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

Ousmane Dabo, the French footballer beaten up by Joey Barton, has accused Newcastle United of "lacking ethics and morals" for not sacking the jailed midfielder.

Dabo was in court this week to see Barton, a man he describes as a "coward", admit assaulting him, causing actual bodily harm, during a practice match at Manchester City's training ground in May last year. Newcastle have subsequently announced that they intend to hold talks with Barton as soon as he is released from a six-month prison sentence imposed for assault and affray in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of December 27, when he was on bail for the Dabo attack.

The one-time England international was jailed on May 20 but is almost eligible for parole, to be released with an electronic tag, and the indications from St James' Park are that Newcastle will give him another chance, a decision that has outraged Dabo.

"English clubs teach you lots of lessons but in this case they [Newcastle] lack ethics and morals," he said. "Newcastle have invested a lot in this guy and they do not want to lose money. The club does not give a damn about the law and that truly shocks me." No one at Newcastle was available for comment last night.

Dabo was punched unconscious by Barton and has described himself as "looking like the Elephant Man" because of his facial injuries. Barton this week received a four-month sentence suspended for two years, as well as 200 hours of community service. Dabo, who will also receive £3,000 in compensation, said he is "happy" with the outcome, but he is also considering pursuing a civil case against the 25-year-old Barton.

"I almost lost an eye," he said. "It was a terrible day for me and ever since then I have been waiting for the trial to come around. Barton pleaded guilty straight away and that meant I did not need to give evidence. That shows that my version of the truth was the truth.

"He admits that he attacked me, that he struck me from behind and beat me when I was unconscious. He admits that he behaved in a cowardly way. It's not the first time he has been in trouble with the law either. He attacked some people in Liverpool recently. He did not talk to me [in court] or apologise. But it did not worry me seeing him again."

Dabo now plays for Lazio and, perhaps unsurprisingly, does not remember his spell at the City of Manchester Stadium with any affection. "I am happier in Italy," he said. "I don't think I was cut out to play in the Premier League. At Manchester City I injured my knee, I was sent off and given a three-match ban soon after arriving and then I was attacked. Finally, I ended up playing for Sven-Goran Eriksson and he did not use me once."